2004, A Very Good Year!

[Monolith]

Having just seen the 2004 production schedule, all I can say is WOW! Almost everything I could have hoped for is on that schedule. If I had any complaints at all they would be: "Darn, no Pulp Hero!" and "Shoot. I was hoping the Ultimate Brick would make it out this year!" Everything else is really looking good though.

I am very excited about the whole mystic slant. The Mystic World, DEMON, and Vibora Bay are going to be huge additions to Champions; with the Ultimate Mystic filling out the rough spots!

Are there plans to do other "world" books such as The Mystic World? I would really like to see this become a series just as The Ultimate books are. I could see The Superhero World discussing CU related material: Businesses (SNN, SNN Sidekick), Media involvement (expansion of movies, television, radio, magazines, etc), superhuman celebrities (lifestyle of the superhero set), superhuman hotspots (clubs, meeting areas, sanctuary-like locations), safehouses and contact points (for organizations as well as superhumans), and other such things which I cannot think of off the top of my head.

Books like The Business World could be the new Corporations book, The Scientific World could cover the scientific community (and expand on things like L'Thoth Institute), The Martial World (well, you know what that book will cover).

Any way, enough rambling. Nice schedule. I'm looking forward to buying it all! :)

[Darren Watts]

Thanks, Mono! Though nothing is set in stone, it's likely the "Big Summer Book" of 2005 will be Pulp Hero, with the only uncertainty being timing (Steve wants to do a pile of research for it, and I want to be able to contribute at least a bit myself.) "Blank World" might indeed become a mini-franchise for us, depending on sales and interest, though we have no specific further plans (and I'm not sure "Business World" would be enough for a book on its own.) dw

[Peregrine]

However, I don't see a new PRIMUS sourcebook on the schedule. Is that still in the works, perhaps as a e-book?

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Darren Watts
...(and I'm not sure "Business World" would be enough for a book on its own.) dw
I always liked the old Corporations book. I thought it had some good ideas in it. I would be more than happy to read 20+ pages on Franklin Stone and ACI. The man probably has his hand into just about everything, and it would be a good chance to expand upon CU's "Lex Luthor". The hidden "corporate war" between ACI, Pharos, Binary Corporation, and all the others which might be in the book could make for some interesting campaign plots. Not knowing much about corporate business myself, a book like that could be enlightening as to the "politics" of the Business World.

I would buy it, but I am easy. :)

[Steve Long]

Are there plans to do other "world" books such as The Mystic World?

I would certainly like to do at least some, as circumstances warrant, though they might get packaged differently. For example, I'd like to re-do Watchers Of The Dragon sometime as The Tournament Of The Dragon, a more scenario-oriented project that would also double as "the Martial World."

I'm not sure all the "worlds" would justify a whole book, but it's certainly something to consider.


However, I don't see a new PRIMUS sourcebook on the schedule. Is that still in the works, perhaps as a e-book?

First I plan to let Shelley finish law school, which'll take a couple more years. Then I'll discuss the matter with her further. I know from personal experience how much time law school's gonna take up. ;)

[misterdeath]

Originally posted by Monolith
I always liked the old Corporations book. I thought it had some good ideas in it. I would be more than happy to read 20+ pages on Franklin Stone and ACI. The man probably has his hand into just about everything, and it would be a good chance to expand upon CU's "Lex Luthor". The hidden "corporate war" between ACI, Pharos, Binary Corporation, and all the others which might be in the book could make for some interesting campaign plots. Not knowing much about corporate business myself, a book like that could be enlightening as to the "politics" of the Business World.

I would buy it, but I am easy. :)

Ditto from me, on everything but the easy part. I'm a pain in the ass.

D

[BobGreenwade]

I'd like to echo the big "WOW" at the top of the thread. I'll definitely expect these to be hot sellers. The only "bummer" i can see is that I'm not writing any of it.... :(

As for the "Business World" book, I think it will stand second only to a new "Martial World"/"Tournament Of The Dragon" in anticipation for such "Champions World" books. The old Corporations book was a big hit (or so I understand), and to this day I consider it a model of how to write such a book. At any rate, as you guys have already acknowledged, it's something to think about. :D

[allen]

I'd like to second (third? fourth?) the motion put forth to publish a "Coporate World" sourcebook... corporations figure prominently in most (if not all) modern settings, either as background for PCs (how many times has a GM heard, 'I want to play a character like Tony Stark, a guy who runs a corporation'?) or NPCs, or even just as business entities which do this or that in the campaign city.

Besides, they make good bad guys.

[TechnoViking]

You planning on Dark Champions for your GenCon release?

Mike

[Steve Long]

Yes, Dark Champions is planned as the GenCon release.

[SAVeira]

How do I get my boss to give a cost of Hero Games increase in pay? Just imagine, "You see boss, Hero Games is coming out with 18 book in 2004, so I am going need a raise." :D


S.A. Veira

[SAVeira]

Originally posted by Darren Watts
Thanks, Mono! Though nothing is set in stone, it's likely the "Big Summer Book" of 2005 will be Pulp Hero, with the only uncertainty being timing (Steve wants to do a pile of research for it, and I want to be able to contribute at least a bit myself.) "Blank World" might indeed become a mini-franchise for us, depending on sales and interest, though we have no specific further plans (and I'm not sure "Business World" would be enough for a book on its own.) dw

Should think about doing some Golden Age of Champions books the same year as Pulp Hero. The share a lot of the same time period. Just a thought.


S. A. Veira

[allen]

Originally posted by allen
I'd like to second (third? fourth?) the motion put forth to publish a "Coporate World" sourcebook...

man, after reading the "'displeased' about 2004" thread, i feel like a total heel for making the above post...

i just want to say: i'm very excited about the 2004 schedule. The first Dark Champions has been a valuable resource for years and years for all games set in modern times, and i'm sure next year's will be even better. Galactic Champions will likely aid me greatly in my hopes of someday running a campaign inspired by Dreadstar, which is something i've always wanted to do. And the Turakian Age book sounds cool, cool, cool.

so anyway, sorry folks for looking a gift horse in the mouth...

[Darren Watts]

Originally posted by SAVeira
Should think about doing some Golden Age of Champions books the same year as Pulp Hero. The share a lot of the same time period. Just a thought.


S. A. Veira

Almost certainly, SAV. Golden Age is a particular love of mine, and right now I have it in pencil on my 2005 calendar. I'll let you all know when that gets written over in ink... dw

[Peregrine]

Originally posted by Steve Long

quote:
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However, I don't see a new PRIMUS sourcebook on the schedule. Is that still in the works, perhaps as a e-book?
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First I plan to let Shelley finish law school, which'll take a couple more years. Then I'll discuss the matter with her further. I know from personal experience how much time law school's gonna take up. ;) [/B]

Ouch. A long time to wait for a sourcebook on one of the premier organizations in the CU. On the other hand, Shelley did such an excellent job the first time around, it's hard to consider giving the project to another author.

Is it 2005 yet? :cool:

[megaplayboy]

Really looking forward to GC. I think a "Champions 3000" type book is an excellent idea. Having attended Dundracon, I like having heard that this book will deal with VERY high level PCs and the issues attached thereto. Hopefully having an official product dealing with this topic will help remove some of the unfair stigma attached to high powered campaigns.

If there are going to be Champions sub-genre books, I recommend/would like to see some additional support(i.e., 1-3 additional books of various sorts(an enemies book, an orgs book or scenario book, and maybe a supplemental sourcebook) for each sub-genre book. I realize this is probably unrealistic, but I think I'm not the only one who'd appreciate it. Maybe just one more book even, in say, late 2005? Please?
Ah heck, I'd even be willing to write it :)

[Steve Long]

Generally speaking, subgenre books like Galactic Champions are going to fill a variety of functions on their own. In addition to a section on creating/running high-powered superheroes -- a topic that doesn't really require a whole book on its own -- it will showcase what the Champions Universe is like in the year 3000, with plenty of villain writeups and sample heroes.

Assuming a subgenre book sold really well, we might consider some expansions/supplements. But we're not planning on it at this point.

[Lord Mhoram]

I was totally enthused by the schedule. I am a SF nut, so to see teh entire SF setting list from Alien Wars to Galactic Champions out by the end of next year is great, and two FH settings. Cool.

Like others have mentioned, I love the fact we are seeing support for non-supers. I love superheroes, but I love other genres too, and I generally only play HERO system. Seeing material for the other stuff is just great news, less work for me.

gloating mode on:
And for those that need a raise, I just have to say, I work at a game store, I get them at cost. heh. So go ahead bringon 18 or more a year, I can take it.
gloating mode off: